Social services chief John Bolton was today holding meetings with union leaders in a further effort to make "efficiency savings" in his overspent department.

And managers and other senior staff may be facing redeployment - or even redundancy - as Mr Bolton battles a projected &#xA3;6million overspend by next March, he said.

At the first of three public consultation meetings yesterday, Mr Bolton admitted to an 80-strong audience at the Central Methodist Hall that he was already destined to lose the fight this year.

Addressing pensioners, wheelchair users, parents of disabled children and those with learning difficulties, the director pledged: "Most of you will not be affected by the proposed efficiency savings.

"Those with critical and substantial needs should not be affected. Only those with moderate or low-level care needs, which some other local authorities do not even provide for, may find changes.

"But no-one's service will be taken away without a discussion with that person or their carer."

Mr Bolton did accept that those with "extensive support packages" might face a review because, in some cases, care needs had reduced since they left hospital.

His meetings with the trade unions today are a direct consequence of his view that up to &#xA3;2million can be saved by reducing the number of social services managers. Other economies are already being made, such as the phasing out of escort services on buses for people attending day or sheltered work places.

Instead, staff at the centres may be asked to travel on the buses with those collected from their homes, while others may be given the opportunity to try to travel independently.

Mr Bolton added: "I do believe there are a number of services we are running that only encourage people to become more dependent. We need to promote and develop their confidence and encourage them towards living more independently.

"I heard of one adult with learning difficulties who currently has 32 hours of social services support towards leisure activities."

Staff numbers in sheltered housing may also go up or down, according to the needs of the older people living there.

Mr Bolton said: "At the moment, some of our supported housing is run a bit too closely like residential care homes."

More stairlifts, rather than complete house refits, will also be offered to those who are living independently.

Mr Bolton, who is in his 50s, concluded that he also lived in the city and was developing services which he himself would have to use in his old age, which he said was "unfortunately getting closer." Altogether, three public meetings were held at the Central Methodist Hall, in the city centre, yesterday and there will be another at 6.30pm tomorrow and two more at 2pm and 6.30pm on Thursday.